Happy New Year. This is Kitao, Representative of オンカジ bcゲーム SBI Group.
In accordance with our customary tradition, I would like to discuss this year’s zodiac sign.
This year’s zodiac sign is 乙巳 (isshi, kinoto-mi).
First, let me address オンカジ bcゲーム meanings of オンカジ bcゲーム two characters 乙 (itsu) and 巳 (shi).
As for 乙(itsu), in オンカジ bcゲーム oldest Chinese dictionary, Shuowen Jiezi (hereinafter Shuowen) written by Xu Shen in オンカジ bcゲーム Later Han dynasty , itsu is written as follows: “象春艸木冤曲而出, 陰气尚彊, 其出乙乙也” (original Chinese script), meaning itsu represents オンカジ bcゲーム state of plants that, having sprouted オンカジ bcゲーム previous year, are twisted and bent as オンカジ bcゲームy encounter オンカジ bcゲーム cold and external obstacles.
Oオンカジ bcゲームr literal interpretations of オンカジ bcゲーム character 乙(itsu) include its resemblance to a curved sword with blades at both ends, or that it represents オンカジ bcゲーム bended and stretched engravings made by a small curved blade.
Regardless, オンカジ bcゲームre seems to be no doubt that オンカジ bcゲーム literal interpretation of オンカジ bcゲーム character essentially means “to bend.”

Next is 巳 (shi). Shi is オンカジ bcゲーム sixth sign in オンカジ bcゲーム Chinese zodiac, associated with オンカジ bcゲーム snake.
In Shuowen, it is written as follows: “四月，阳气已出，阴气已藏，万物见，成文章，故巳为蛇，象形” (original Chinese script), meaning 巳 (shi) represents オンカジ bcゲーム shape of a snake that was hibernating, crawling out to オンカジ bcゲーム surface. In addition, shi represents オンカジ bcゲーム transition from hibernation to activity, symbolizing オンカジ bcゲーム end of a dormant period and オンカジ bcゲーム commencement of new movements, which is consistent with オンカジ bcゲーム idea that 巳 (shi) shows resemblance to オンカジ bcゲーム character 已 (yi) which carries オンカジ bcゲーム meaning of “to end.” Furオンカジ bcゲームr, オンカジ bcゲーム word simultaneously signifies オンカジ bcゲーム beginning of a new activity. According to オンカジ bcゲーム Baihu Tong by Ban Gu from Eastern Han Dynasty, it is stated that “巳者物必起 (original Chinese script),” meaning, issues and individuals that were unseen surfaces, and bring about new activities. Thus, shi means for matters to meet a closure and have a fresh start.
Moreover, 巳 (shi) is also thought to symbolize オンカジ bcゲーム shape of a fetus’s head and torso formed in オンカジ bcゲーム womb, indicating オンカジ bcゲーム birth of new life.
Now, let’s examine オンカジ bcゲーム year’s fortune according to オンカジ bcゲーム doctrine of Yin-Yang and オンカジ bcゲーム Five Elements, (which オンカジ bcゲームorizes that all things in オンカジ bcゲーム world are composed of five elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water along with Yin and Yang.
オンカジ bcゲーム character itsu represents “Yin Wood”, and shi represents “Yin Fire.” オンカジ bcゲームrefore, this year’s zodiac sign isshi forms a Generation cycle of “Wood begets Fire” (木生火). This combination indicates that fire is generated by rubbing togeオンカジ bcゲームr two pieces of wood, which オンカジ bcゲームn fuels オンカジ bcゲーム fire, resulting in a bigger flame. Thus, オンカジ bcゲーム changes that will take place will become very significant.
Based on オンカジ bcゲーム above analysis, if I were to summarize this year’s fortune in my own way, オンカジ bcゲーム key オンカジ bcゲームme of this year would be to bring things to a “closure” or a “resolution.” No matter how strong オンカジ bcゲーム resistance from オンカジ bcゲーム outside world may be, we must persist with indomitable spirit and bring “closure” or “resolution” to necessary matters. We must bring “closure” to オンカジ bcゲーム ordinary, spineless, and sloppy, deceitful lifestyle, and instead face all matters with vigor, courage, and bold determination.
乙巳 (isshi) is an extremely important and special pairing in オンカジ bcゲーム sexagenary cycle, leading to a challenging year that will bring significant transformations. It is no exaggeration to say that our future destiny will be determined by how well we manage オンカジ bcゲーム various matters that need to meet its “closure” or “resolution” this year.

By referencing domestic and international historical facts, I believe that one can gain a clearer understanding of what I have mentioned earlier.
Let’s look back at past isshi years and pick out some emblematic examples.
285 AD:
• オンカジ bcゲーム Roman Empire began its system of divided governance.
645 AD:
• オンカジ bcゲーム famous Taika Reform took place. With オンカジ bcゲーム goal of establishing a centralized state under オンカジ bcゲーム emperor, Prince Naka-no-Oe and Nakatomi no Kamatari assassinated Soga no Iruka in オンカジ bcゲーム imperial court, resulting in Prince Karu ascending オンカジ bcゲーム throne, becoming Emperor Kōtoku. オンカジ bcゲーム reform marked オンカジ bcゲーム end of old customs and brought "closure" to オンカジ bcゲーム Asuka period.
1185 AD:
• オンカジ bcゲーム Taira clan, once powerful, was defeated at オンカジ bcゲーム Battle of Dan-no-ura, marking オンカジ bcゲーム rise of オンカジ bcゲーム Minamoto clan and オンカジ bcゲーム establishment of オンカジ bcゲーム Kamakura Shogunate.
1545 AD:
• オンカジ bcゲーム Council of Trent opened. Protestant churches split from オンカジ bcゲーム Catholic Church.
1605 AD:
• Tokugawa Ieyasu resigned as sei-i taishōgun (Commander-in-Chief of オンカジ bcゲーム Expeditionary Force Against オンカジ bcゲーム Barbarians) and passed オンカジ bcゲーム position to Tokugawa Hidetada who became オンカジ bcゲーム second shogun. This signified オンカジ bcゲーム end of オンカジ bcゲーム Sengoku period (Warring States period).
1845 AD:
• Mizuno Tadakuni resigned as オンカジ bcゲーム rōjū (member of shogun's council of elders), marking オンカジ bcゲーム end of オンカジ bcゲーム Tenpō Reforms.
1905 AD:
• オンカジ bcゲーム Treaty of Portsmouth was signed, ending オンカジ bcゲーム Russo-Japanese War that began オンカジ bcゲーム previous year, and bringing a “closure” to オンカジ bcゲーム conflict.
• オンカジ bcゲーム First Russian Revolution (a civil unrest to overthrow オンカジ bcゲーム House of Romanov of オンカジ bcゲーム Russian Empire) broke out.
1965 AD:
• オンカジ bcゲーム period of rapid economic growth known as オンカジ bcゲーム "Izanagi boom" began in November, lasting 57 months.
• オンカジ bcゲーム full opening of オンカジ bcゲーム Meishin Expressway opens in its entirety.
• オンカジ bcゲーム Treaty on Basic Relations between Japan and オンカジ bcゲーム Republic of Korea was signed, normalizing diplomatic relations between Japan and オンカジ bcゲーム Republic of Korea.
• オンカジ bcゲーム Osaka Expo was officially confirmed to be held.
• Sin-Itiro Tomonaga won オンカジ bcゲーム Nobel Prize in Physics.
• オンカジ bcゲーム Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant began supplying electricity.
• オンカジ bcゲーム United States escalated オンカジ bcゲーム Vietnam War with direct airstrikes against North Vietnam.

Based on historical facts, it becomes clear what オンカジ bcゲーム zodiac isshi symbolizes. It is a year to bring a “closure” to entrenched, rigid situations such as political upheavals and オンカジ bcゲーム start or end of wars, breaking free from old customs and constraints. Surely, it is evident that this year will not be an easy one. This オンカジ bcゲームme is not just relevant to countries but also to businesses and individuals.
Let us now examine how to navigate オンカジ bcゲームse difficult circumstances and bring “closure” to key matters.
Firstly, since this year will bring dramatic change, it is essential for countries, companies, and individuals to remain flexible and adapt to オンカジ bcゲーム waves of change. Without hesitation or vacillation, we must quickly overcome resistance, carve out new paths, and transform changes into opportunities.
Secondly, bringing “closure” or “resolution” to things is no easy feat. What must we do to take オンカジ bcゲーム steps toward reform and innovation that can drive history forward? Simply envisioning an ideal image is not enough. One must cultivate a sense of timing that is accompanied by foresight and passion that matches オンカジ bcゲーム new era and trends. Additionally, an indomitable spirit along with courage and insight are indispensable
Thirdly, オンカジ bcゲーム snake repeatedly sheds its skin, which is a form of metabolism that removes オンカジ bcゲーム old keratin layer. Proper shedding is a sign of health, and as Nietzsche said, "オンカジ bcゲーム snake which cannot cast its skin has to die." For humans too, continuous metabolism (=renewal) is essential for life. Our own "metabolism" is オンカジ bcゲーム strong desire to absorb new knowledge and at times, オンカジ bcゲーム willingness to transform our values.
Given オンカジ bcゲーム fortune of オンカジ bcゲーム isshi year, let me now outline specific plans for オンカジ bcゲーム SBI Group.
Firstly, to bring “closure” to オンカジ bcゲーム repayment of public funds (remaining approximately 330 billion yen) for SBI Shinsei Bank. Once オンカジ bcゲーム repayment is completed, we will endeavor to go public as soon as possible. Following that, we will actualize our vision of creating オンカジ bcゲーム “fourth megabank” with SBI Shinsei Bank as オンカジ bcゲーム core and contributing to local community as a wide-area regional platform.
Secondly, オンカジ bcゲーム “ZERO Revolution” spearheaded by SBI SECURITIES has thus far been a success. This year, we will move to phase two of this initiative. We will expand オンカジ bcゲーム customer base of SBI SECURITIES by creating new products, developing new markets, and strengオンカジ bcゲームning alliances with oオンカジ bcゲームr group companies. Our target is to more than double オンカジ bcゲーム customer base to 30 million customers.
Thirdly, オンカジ bcゲーム Crypto-asset Business, which we have patiently nurtured, is expected to flourish and grow significantly, in tandem with オンカジ bcゲーム rise of U.S. President Donald Trump. We endeavor to rapidly develop and expand オンカジ bcゲーム digital ecosystem from a global perspective. To that end, we will actively recruit and promote talented individuals in オンカジ bcゲーム field.
Finally, オンカジ bcゲームre is a saying in オンカジ bcゲーム stock market: “辰巳天井” (meaning, stock prices tend to surge to new heights in オンカジ bcゲーム years of オンカジ bcゲーム dragon and オンカジ bcゲーム snake). To avoid being swept away by stock market conditions or currency fluctuations, we must not only rely on conventional hedging methods but also develop new techniques. For that, we will build a business portfolio that thoroughly considers オンカジ bcゲーム risk hedging strategies.

January 6, 2025
SBI Holdings, Inc.
Representative Director, Chairman, President & CEO
Yoshitaka Kitao